Compare and contrast atheism of Karl Marx, and Richard Dawkins and Term Paper

Compare and contrast atheism of Karl Marx, and Richard Dawkins and provide a profound definition on atheism is with regard to fa - Term Paper Example Most of these atheists have argued that their reason for not believing in the existence of deities is the hypocrisy that comes along with religion. Some see religion as means used by the people in the upper social class to oppress the ordinary or poor people. Some also argue that religion creates a platform on which leaders try to discourage people from rebelling against their leadership. For instance, some religions claim that violence is wrong and punishable this believe is drilled into children as they grow up, making sure that they fear punishment. This makes the children who grow up having this belief to be calm even when they are oppressed by those with higher status than them. This implies that these people will not rebel against any forms of oppression. Some of the major reasons, why people become atheists are discussed below. To begin with, religions argue that there is one creator, who made heaven and earth and all that is in it for seven days. Man was also created, and the creator created a channel to speak to mankind through prophets. With the development of many religions and beliefs, there are many prophets that have emerged most of whom are fake prophets, out to lie to mankind and oppress them in some way. The many numbers of prophets lead to different prophets who make different prophesies. Many atheists wonder that if there is one creator that exists, why it that prophets often give is prophesies that contradict, instead of prophesying constituent issues. Religion prompts mankind to be kind to each other, and to help one another. Religion also helps one to understand that life is not a practice run, thus creates the urge to fulfill the part of life that requires to be fulfilled. Another fact about atheists is that they are very conversant with different religions and their teachings and practices. This is because atheists more often than not, read too much literature on religion. Karl Marx is one of the very well known atheists. Marx has been a n atheist since he was a child for the rest of his life. In the 19th century, Karl Marx was an economist, theorist, and activist of socialism and communism. In his criticisms, Marx refers to religion as the â€Å"opium of the people.† He viewed religion as a foundation for the oppression of the poor and ordinary by the strong and influential people. He also argues that religion is created so as to make the believers docile, and to preventing them from rebelling from their leaders. Moreover, he says that the people who want to fight against the leadership in place use religious interpretations to come up with justifications for their rebellion. The atheism practiced by Marx was both practical and theoretical. Various factors have contributed to his theoretical atheism. The primary factor for his theoretical atheism is due to philosophical reasons; others include social, historical and political reasons. Marx argues that if individual visits a new town and finds their beliefs b eing totally different from his/her believes, the natives of this place are bound to mock him and claim that the visitor is a victim of fantasy and abstraction. The theoretical atheism of Karl Marx has led to him developing three postulates. These three include dialectical or metaphysical materialism, which makes a consideration of matters pertaining the supreme and exceptional basis of all things that do exist. Second is the historical materialism, in which the economic factor is the basic principle and the determining factor. This postulate also